The article discusses the concept of design speed, as explained by Virginia-based journalist Justine Underhill. It highlights the disconnect between posted speed limits and actual driver behavior, particularly how road designs can unintentionally promote higher speeds. Underhill argues that merely relying on law enforcement to enforce speed limits is insufficient; instead, urban planners must reconsider how streets are designed to encourage compliance and enhance safety. By prioritizing pedestrian-friendly designs, cities can create environments that naturally facilitate lower speeds and safer driving practices.
Justine Underhill explains that the concept of design speed plays a crucial role in influencing how drivers perceive and interact with speed limits. When road designs encourage higher speeds, drivers are less likely to adhere to posted limits, even in the presence of law enforcement.
Understanding design speed is fundamental to improving street safety. It argues that to achieve lower speeds, urban planners must reimagine how streets are structured, prioritizing pedestrian safety rather than simply relying on laws.
Without a transformative approach to street design, including changes that reflect the real-world behavior of drivers, simple enforcement measures will likely fail to yield the desired results.
Underhill emphasizes that the conversation must shift from merely enforcing speed limits to a broader examination of why those limits are often ignored, focusing on the speed at which roads are designed.
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